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J. S. GOLLAN AND O. C. ROHDE. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CONTROLLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 1a. 1919.

1,319,065. Patented 001;. 21,1919.

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' Josn sanros GOLLAN AND or'ro CARLOS nonnn, or TBUENOS .AIBES, ARGENTINA.

@1171.GMAT1G. ELECTRIC CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

Application filed. June 13, 1919, Serial No. 304,033,

running on rails and the invention essentially has 1, Object an arrangement of means which causes the closure of electric circuits, particulzu ly for the purpose of illuminating certain objects placed near the track, at the momentof the passage of the vehicle, and the breaking or opening of the said circuits after the passage of the vehicle or some time thereafter.

The arrangement of means in accordance with this invention also permits of controlling, from a single contact device, a plurality of circuits, of different colors or lights.

According to such arrangement, the closure of the controlling circuit is efi'ected by the flange or rim or any other suitable part of the wheel of a vehicle, or by means'of a shoe fitted thereto. Furthermore, the said circuit might also be closed by the influence exerted by the passage of a magnetic mass or body placed on the vehicle, over an electromagnetic device, and the circuit will remain closed even after the passage of the contact forming means by the action of the electromagnetic device, while the said circuit will be opened after the lapse of a predetermined length of time. 7

In the accompanying'diagrammatic drawing, a preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown by way of example, the device having been represented in its position of rest.

In said drawings, 1 indicates a contact piece, normally held open but adapted to be closed by the action of the flange of a vehicle wheel or other suitable means pending from the vehicle and placed adjacent to the rail. 2 is the coil of an electro-magnet having a central core of soft iron, divided into two parts,'3 and 19. 4 is a contact lever, pivoted at 5 and normally maintained by a spring 6 away from the contact point 7, corresponding to the wire 8 leading to one of the terminals of the-winding of the coil. The otherterminal'of the winding' is con nected to the pivot 11 of a double armed lever, one of whose arms, 13, is joined to a regulator 14: (operated by oil, air, clockwork, 'etc.) while the arm .12 operates to establish contact by its end with the contact pieces 15 in Which the leads of the lamps 16 end. A spring 17' tends to maintain the lever 12 in its position of rest; in this position, the current would pass through the lamps 16, contact 15, lever 12, pivot 11, coil 2, contact polnt 7, wire 8 and contact piece 1; but it will be seen that, as shown, the current cannot pass owing to thecircuit being open at 1 and also between the lever6 and the contact point 7. In the interior of the coil is arranged the'core 19 of soft iron which is attracted when the coil is excited and is connected to the arm 12 by means of a rod.l8.

7 On the passage ofa train, for instance,

the momentary closure of the contact 1 is caused; the current then passes through 10, 1, 8, 7, winding of the coil to the pivot 11 and by the arm 12to contact 15' and lamp 7 16; the coil remains excited whereby, on the one hand, the lever 4 is attracted against the action of the spring, 6, so that a circuit is closed at 7, extending from the negative terminal through 10, 9, 5, 41, 7 and through the coil in the same manner as before, whereby, although the contact be immediately broken at 1, the coil will notwithstanding remain excited. The excitation of the coil causes, on the other hand, the attraction of the plunger 19 and in consequence, the rotation of the lever 12 which moves over the contact pieces 15 and closes the corresponding lamp circuits 16. One or more of such circuits may be provided, as may be desired, which may be connected to one single device or obj ect, or to several. arranged at a distance one from another. The oil regulator 14 or other similar device which may be used, serves to predetermine the speed of the lever 12. At'

have opened the circuit at 15; in consequence, the coil will have lost its energy and.

owing to the action of the spring 6, the lever 4 will return to its initial position; at the same time, the core or plunger will no more be attracted and the action'of the spring, 17 will cause the lever 12 to return 130 1178 position of rest; the lever 12, on its return to said position of rest, will come again into contact with 15, but the circuit will remain open on account of the contacts being open at 7 and 1.

Although the circuits 16 have all been represented as being lamp circuits, we may also arrange circuits with bells therein, intended to sound for alarm purposes orthe like, as may be desired.

By means of the foregoing general arrangement, the illumination of objects is obtained at the passage of a vehicle, so as to attract the attention of the passengers traveling thereon, or in the surroundings of the apparatus. The arrangement also permits of considerable saving of electric current, as the objects will only be rendered visible during the length of time during which their display may be of utility.

WVe now declare that what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1S2

1. In an electric circuit, the combination of a contact device normally held open and adapted to be momentarily closed, an electro-magnet adapted to be excited by the momentary closing of said contact device, and a movable circuit closer connected to and actuated by said electro-magnet for maintaining the same excited after the opening of said contact device and adapted to be moved into circuit-breaking position after a predetermined time.

2. In an electric circuit, the combination of a contact device normally held open and adapted to be momentarily closed, an elec tro-magnet adapted to be excited by the mo mentary closing of said contact device, means actuated by said electro-magnet for maintaining the same excited after the opening of said contact device, and means for controlling the speed of said last means.

3. In an electric circuit, the combination of a contact device normally held open and adapted to be momentarily closed, an electro-magnet adapted to be excited by the momentary closing of said contact device, and a lever pivotally connected to the core of said electro-magnet and adapted to be swung thereby for maintaining said electromagnet excited after the opening of said contact device.

4:. In an electric circuit, the combination of a contact device normally held open and adapted to be momentarily closed, an electro-magnet adapted to be excited by the momentary closing of said contact device, a lever pivotally connected to the core of said electro-magnet and adapted to be swung thereby for maintaining said electro-magnet excited after the opening of said contact device, and means for determining the speed of movement of said lever.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

. J OSE SANTOS GOLLAN. OTTO CARLOS ROHDE. Witnesses:

C. O. FORENSA, L. TnN'rnN Romnenns.

Copies of this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patentn, Washington, D. 0. 

